Category: Mobile Tech

Luxury phone maker Vertu has launched the Ti collection, the company’s first Android phones. For a bit more than $10,000 you get a handmade phone with the following features:

Made from grade five titanium

Handmade in England by a single craftsman (each phone signed by the craftsman)

3.7-inch sapphire crystal screen

Bang & Olufsen symphonic sound

Dual-core 1.7GHz processor

64GB of internal storage

Sadly, the phone doesn’t have an LTE radio, but does feature HSPA+ connectivity. It also runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), rather than the newer Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).

While it’s pretty awesome that there’s a luxury Android phone that’s assembled by hand by single craftsmen (as opposed to hundreds of factory workers), the Vertu Ti isn’t something for mere mortals. It looks like the kind of product that celebrities gift each other. However, if you or someone you know can afford it, please consider an RPad.TV donation. :p

What do you think of the Vertu Ti? If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you buy one? Personally, I’d rather pay someone to hunt down Wolverine, scrape the adamantium from his bones, and use it to coat my Nexus 4.

Audiofly has been getting a lot of attention with its high-quality headphones. The company recently won a CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award for its AF78 model. At NAMM 2013, I met up with Audiofly CEO Dave Thompson to learn more about the company’s new Performance line of in-ear monitors. These models (AF120, AF140, AF160) offer superior sound for use on stage, in the studio, and at home. The difference between the three models is the number of balanced armature drivers. The AF120 has a single armature driver, the AF140 has two, and the AF160 has three. Each model is available with a standard cable, as well as a microphone cable with iOS-compatible controls. Prices start at $249.95 and run to $399.99.

Check out the video interview above to learn more about Audiofly’s in-ear monitors.

Like most of you, I’ve seen loads of Bluetooth speakers over the years. The IK Multimedia iLoud stands out for its blend of power, sound quality, and versatility. In addition to being able to pair with your PC, tablet, or phone via Bluetooth, the iLoud also features a 1/4-inch plug that accepts microphones and musical instruments. With 40 watts of power and high-quality sound (according to the manufacturer), this speaker can double as a studio monitor for musicians and vocalists. The iLoud also features a built-in iRig circuit that allows you to manipulate mics and instruments with mobile apps like AmpliTube and VocalLive.

I spent some time at NAMM 2013 playing with the iLoud and was impressed by its power and versatility. With all the noise blaring on the show floor, I wasn’t able to get an idea of the sound quality it offers. The iLoud will be released some time in the first half of 2013 and hopefully I’ll be reviewing it in the future. For now, please check out the video above and let me know if the iLoud is something you’re interested in.

Earlier this week, Facebook made a ton of noise with its “Graph Search” product. Its socialized version of search has the potential to cut into numerous Internet businesses. Under perfect conditions, Facebook Graph Search will take users away from Google, FourSquare, LinkedIn, Yelp, and more. Using a combination of socialized results, natural language queries, and Bing (for backup purposes), Graph Search is one of the most ambitious search initiatives released in years. My question for you today is this: Is Graph Search something you’re interested in?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Manti Te’o’s fake girlfriend, the glorious news of Derek Jeter being cleared for baseball activities, or the debut of American Idol’s new judges, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Earlier this week, Facebook made a ton of noise with its “Graph Search” product. Its socialized version of search has the potential to cut into numerous Internet businesses. Under perfect conditions, Facebook Graph Search will take users away from Google, FourSquare, LinkedIn, Yelp, and more. Using a combination of socialized results, natural language queries, and Bing (for backup purposes), Graph Search is one of the most ambitious search initiatives released in years. My question for you today is this: Is Graph Search something you’re interested in?

I’m really curious to hear your thoughts on this because I’m not a typical Facebook user. The majority of people I’m “friends” with on Facebook aren’t friends in the traditional sense of the word. The minority of my contacts are people I know on a purely social level. The rest of them are a mix of game developers, PR flacks, readers, and viewers. While I certainly like most of them, it’s not an ideal mix to fuel contextual search results. Since most of you use Facebook in a more traditional way, I’d love to hear if you think Graph Search is something you’d use.

Then there’s the effectiveness of the whole thing. Like most people, I use Google for Internet searches. While there are many things about it that I don’t like, it’s been my default for years because I don’t know of anything better. While I loved it at first, the results have been getting progressively worse, thanks to SEO tricksters. Google understands that applying a social layer to search results is important, which was the whole point of its Google+ product. In many ways, Facebook and Google are trying to achieve the same goal, but are traveling in different directions to get there. Google is adding social elements to search, while Facebook is adding search to its social platform. The bottom line, of course, is meaningful results. Which company do you think will provide more meaningful social-powered search-results?

At a glance, I think that Google will ultimately win this fight. It’s not because it had a head start or because it has been the master of search for years. What surprised me with Facebook’s announcement was that mobile seemed to be an afterthought. That’s been a (frustrating) trend with Facebook. Mobile Internet use is huge and getting bigger every day. Right now, Facebook kind of sucks at mobile. Google is expontentially better at it and will use information extracted from mobile use to fuel search results. While mobile will certainly be (have to be?) a big part of Graph Search in the future, it should have been a huge part of the initiative from the start.

While I love that Facebook is attempting to make search better and different, I’m not convinced it will deliver the results (*snicker*). What are your thoughts on Graph Search? Would you use it and do you think it will be effective? Shout it out in the comments section (please!).

Autodesk is a name that’s familiar to architects and 3D artists. Its popular software includes well-known tools like AutoCAD, Maya, and Softimage. While the company has a strong reputation with content creators, there’s a good chance that Joe and Jen Gamer will think that Autodesk is a Transformer that hangs out at schoolhouses. The reality is that the company has been a part of numerous big-budget games and has recently been making a push to become a larger part of the mobile-games market.

There’s a good chance that most of you have played a game that was partially made with Autodesk tech. The company’s Gameware line of development tools has helped bring popular titles like Borderlands 2 and Mass Effect 3 to life. Numerous developers use Autodesk tools for advanced UI, pathfinding, lighting, animation, etc.

More recently, Autodesk has been aggressively pursuing the burgeoning mobile games market. To illustrate the power of its Scaleform Mobile SDK, Autodesk released Starforce Battlement for iOS as a proof-of-concept in Fall 2012. It’s a fun tower-defense style game with impressive graphics and entertaining gameplay. Check out the free game when you have a chance. I’m certain that most of you will agree that it’s a slick title that’s indicative of where mobile games are going.

So where am I going with all this? Well, as I was thinking about Autodesk’s mobile game efforts, I was also thinking about hardcore gamers that dismiss mobile games as not being any good. Over the last few years, mobile games have improved immensely, both in terms of graphics and gameplay. While some of you might not dig mobile games, there’s no denying that the market is booming. When a company with as much stroke as Autodesk is paying special attention to the mobile market, you know it’s a big deal.

The thing that’s interesting to me is whether Autodesk will enjoy the reach of its other products. Every architect I’ve met uses AutoCAD. Every 3D graphic designer I know has 3ds Max, Maya, or Softimage in their virtual toolbox. The mobile-game developers I know use a wide variety of tools and I’m curious to see how much headway Autodesk will make with that crowd.

While I’m sure that most of you don’t care what tools games are made with, the good news is that you’ll get to enjoy better products. Large software companies like Autodesk, with its powerful development tools, will help game creators serve up the best mobile games yet.

Although CES 2013 lacked many of technology’s heavy hitters (Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc.), the show’s gaming content was getting lots of buzz. Nvidia’s Project Shield took many gadget geeks by surprise. More details were revealed about Valve’s Steam Box, which many pundits feel has the potential to radically change the gaming landscape. Lastly, Razer’s Edge tablet (which started out as Project Fiona) got a lot of attention from gamers looking for a powerful and versatile Windows 8 solution. (Personally, I can’t think of the product without thinking of Scott Hall’s finishing maneuver.)

Now that you’ve had a week to think about it, which CES 2013 gaming device impressed you the most? Which one has rocketed to the top of your wish list? Kindly vote in today’s poll and discuss in the comments section.

As e-cigarettes become more and more advanced, mods that feature enhanced software and services will be more common. The Ovale eVic showed how devices can be used with PC software to enhance the vaping experience. The Janty MiD Series takes things to a whole new level. In addition to being able to work with Android and Windows software, the MiD has software add-ons you can purchase that extend its functionality. It also features user profiles and a community aspect. In many ways, the MiD has features that are new to vaping, but are things commonly found in gaming and consumer electronics. It’s like my worlds are colliding!

The MiD’s add-ons remind me of what has become a gaming staple: DLC. New customers will be able try out all of the device’s features out of the box, but for only 175 puffs. While the device should have enough performance and flexibility for most vapers, advanced options like realtime variable-voltage and realtime variable-wattage have to be purchased.

Profiles allow the MiD to quickly change settings to suit a different user or a different type of e-liquid. In some ways, this reminds me of a PlayStation 3 or an Xbox 360 with multiple accounts on it. Say I’m vaping with Raina and she wants to use the MiD, but enjoys more watts than I do. Instead of having to go through the menus and change the settings, she can quickly change profiles so that it fires to her liking.

Then there’s the community aspect of the MiD, which reminds of communities based around certain consoles or smartphones. Janty gives its customers the option to share profiles and interact with other MiD users. Vapers can exchange tips on different gear, share videos, and more. Janty gets access to user information and habits, allowing it to improve this software-upgradeable vaping device based on user input.

Lastly, there’s the software aspect, which is something Joyetech/Ovale did first with the eVic. The MiD seems to give users more options and flexibility. More importantly (to tech nerds like me, anyway), the company has plans for an Android version. This is something I’ve been hoping to see. Vaping devices are portable. Smartphones and tablets are portable. I love the idea of having connectivity between my vaping devices and my smartphone. As a fan of Bill James (MLB) and John Hollinger (NBA), I welcome more vaping stats (though I’m not sure how useful they’ll actually be to me).

Here’s a lengthy rundown of the MiD’s features for those of you that are interested. As a gadget geek and a verbal entertainer, I’m really excited for the MiD. On paper, it’s a progressive and unique product that will push the boundaries of what a vaping device can be. That said, I have no idea how it will perform, how well its advanced features will work, and if it’ll be any good. I’m rooting for it to succeed, but expect some hiccups along the way. (Disclosure: Janty is based in the Philippines, so I’m a homer for the product for cultural reasons as well as tech-nerd reasons.) I should be reviewing the MiD next month, so stay tuned (please!).

Two days ago at CES 2012, Nvidia announced a new gaming device called Project Shield. It’s a bold initiative that combines elements of console, PC, and portable gaming. As a verbal entertainer and a tech nerd, I love it, simply because it’s a conversation starter. That said, I’m not yet convinced that Project Shield is a game-changer. I’ve thought about the device several times over the last couple of days and it’s still more “interesting” than “must have” for me. Naturally, I want to know what you think about Nvidia’s gambit. Let’s go over the pros and cons…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Intelligentsia’s Sulwesi Toarco Jaya Peaberry, Pau Gasol’s broken face, or Dwight Howard’s torn labrum, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Two days ago at CES 2013, Nvidia announced a new gaming device called Project Shield. It’s a bold initiative that combines elements of console, PC, and portable gaming. As a verbal entertainer and a tech nerd, I love it, simply because it’s a conversation starter. That said, I’m not yet convinced that Project Shield is a game-changer. I’ve thought about the device several times over the last couple of days and it’s still more “interesting” than “must have” for me. Naturally, I want to know what you think about Nvidia’s gambit. Let’s go over the pros and cons.

On the plus side, Nvidia’s graphics processors and mobile processors are some of the best in the business. From the tech-and-specs standpoint, Project Shield should deliver. It also draws from two diverse gaming libraries: Android Market and Steam. Content shouldn’t be an issue with this device.

Original content, on the other hand, is something Nvidia will have to be more aggressive with. The company has great relationships with Android and PC developers, getting exclusive features or versions of games. I believe the company will have to do more than that to make Project Shield thrive. It will need full games — not just features or optimized versions — exclusive to the platform. While some people believe that exclusive no longer matter, I think they’re in important part of defining a platform, which is especially important for a newcomer.

While being able to stream PC games to a mobile device is very cool, you need a GeForce GTX 600 series GPU (or better, when the time comes) to do so. That makes playing high-quality games expensive. Consoles have thrived because of their simplicity and price. You buy a relatively cheap box, pop a disc in, and go. With Project Shield you have the device itself, a relatively expensive PC, and the potential trouble of trying to connect the two. It’s a more expensive and complicated proposition for many “mainstream” gamers.

Then there’s the form factor. It’s portable, but not really. Although mobile gaming systems have been getting larger (like Leon from Airplane!), it’s still easy enough to slip a Nintendo 3DS or PlayStation Vita into your back pocket or jacket pocket. Project Shield looks like an Xbox 360 controller with a screen attached to it. I’m pretty sure that won’t fit into most pockets. Since the shape isn’t uniform, it won’t be as bag friendly as traditional portables. With mobile phones becoming more powerful every few months and the vast improvement in mobile games, I only bring my portable consoles with me for long airplane flights. I don’t see myself toting around Project Shield much, simply due to its form factor.

There are surely many tech enthusiasts that will pick up Project Shield because it’s bold, different, and powerful. I’m not yet convinced that it will sell big or change the business (much). I have too many concerns about content, complexity, and form factor. How do you feel about Project Shield? Kindly take today’s poll and leave your thoughts on Nvidia’s upcoming portable in the comments section (please!).

With their powers combined (Captain Planet TM), the Google Nexus 4 and T-Mobile’s $30 unlimited data plan are the best value in mobile tech. On the hardware side, you have a high-end phone that’s unlocked, yet sold at a subsidized price ($299 or $349 depending on configuration). On the service side, you have a dirt-cheap plan that gives you unlimited texts and 5GB of high-speed data per month — without a contract! All that said, it’s not a perfect combination for everyone…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the possibility of Phil Jackson coaching the New Jersey Nets, studying for a road test, or caucasians with dreadlocks, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

With their powers combined (Captain Planet TM), the Google Nexus 4 and T-Mobile’s $30 unlimited data plan are the best value in mobile tech. On the hardware side, you have a high-end phone that’s unlocked, yet sold at a subsidized price ($299 or $349 depending on configuration). On the service side, you have a dirt-cheap plan that gives you unlimited texts and 5GB of high-speed data per month — without a contract! All that said, it’s not a perfect combination for everyone.

On the plus side, the Nexus 4 boasts a 4.7-inch screen with a 1,280 x 768 resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, an eight-megapixel camera, 2GB of RAM, and a 2,100 mAh battery. Best of all, Nexus phones serviced by Google get the latest Android updates first and are free from the bloatware that carriers won’t let you uninstall. There are some phones with slightly better specs, but certainly not available for a contract-free price of $299. I’ve been using a 16GB Nexus 4 for the last couple of weeks and I’m extremely pleased with its performance.

On the down side, the storage and data speeds will not be enough for hardcore users. Although cloud services are more robust than ever, the 16GB storage maximum will be problematic for some people. The Nexus 4 also lacks an LTE radio, which prevents it from hitting the best data speeds available in the U.S. The good news is that the Nexus 4 does have an HSPA+ 42 radio that’s compatible with T-Mobile’s best speeds. HSPA+ 42 download speeds are competitive with LTE, but the latency and upload speeds aren’t nearly as good.

If you’re the kind of person that uses data and text more than voice minutes then you should check out the T-Mobile $30 plan. If you can live with 100 minutes of talk time a month, it’s an absolute steal. Keep in mind that in addition to the deficiencies in ping and upload speeds, T-Mobile’s network isn’t as vast as AT&T’s and Verizon’s. Depending on where you live, work, or travel to, coverage can be an issue.

Still, if your T-Mobile coverage is up to snuff and you can live with 16GB of onboard storage then it’s tough to beat this coupling. You have a fantastic unlocked phone at a great price and service that’s less than half of what most tech enthusiasts pay. It won’t work for everyone, but for many people in America the Nexus 4 backed by T-Mobile’s $30 plan is an unbeatable combination.

Continuing our discussion of nerd hopes and wishes for 2013, I was wondering what you wanted to see in the consumer electronics space. Are you hoping for advancements in PCs, mobile phones, tablets, or software? If so, what specifically are you having gadget dreams about?

As for me, I’m hoping to see Apple take some bold steps with iOS. Don’t get me wrong — it’s a simple and powerful operating system that is the gold standard and has certainly gotten better over the years, but many of the recent changes have been subtle. Meanwhile, the competition has been catching up and, in some cases…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the existence of Scary Movie 5, praying for a United 1K challenge, or dreading losing 1K status after January, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Continuing our discussion of nerd hopes and wishes for 2013, I was wondering what you wanted to see in the consumer electronics space. Are you hoping for advancements in PCs, mobile phones, tablets, or software? If so, what specifically are you having gadget dreams about?

As for me, I’m hoping to see Apple take some bold steps with iOS. Don’t get me wrong — it’s a simple and powerful operating system that is the gold standard and has certainly gotten better over the years, but many of the recent changes have been subtle. Meanwhile, the competition has been catching up and, in some cases, surpassing iOS.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone has become a boldly different alternative, mostly because it had to be in order to compete. Android has gotten exponentially better over the last two years, but that’s partially because it had so much catching up to do. As someone that uses and enjoys both Android and iOS, I see a lot of features on Android that are better than their iOS counterparts. Android apps, however, are another story. I’d love to see more Android apps have the level of polish that their iOS counterparts have.